Greater Bethesda News

Jean Griswold Foundation Recognizes Jewish Council for the Aging for Aiding Seniors During Pandemic

Jean Griswold Foundation Recognizes Jewish Council for the Aging for Aiding Seniors During Pandemic

Grant Money Awarded Through Griswold Gives COVID-19

Emergency Relief Program

Bethesda, MD – April, 2020 – Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) has received a grant from Griswold Home Care’s charitable foundation for its work to provide at-home intellectual, social, and physical activities to local adults with early stage dementia during the COVID-19 outbreak. This grant was awarded through the Griswold Gives COVID-19 Emergency Relief Program, which supports senior-focused nonprofits facing a lack of funding, resources, and volunteers due to the pandemic.

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread, nonprofits are struggling to meet the increasing needs of local seniors, many of whom are unable to leave their houses to get essential products and services. JCA will put the grant toward its Kensington Club On-Screen Program – a weekly series of online videos providing stimulating cognitive and physical activities to members of its Kensington Club Adult Day Centers throughout Montgomery County. These videos offer a variety of activities to help keep adults with early-stage dementia mentally, socially, and physically engaged, including music therapy, seated exercises, current events reviews, and games.

“Now, more than ever, adults living with dementia are finding themselves unable to get the services and support needed to remain healthy, safe, and socially connected,” said Colleen Kemp, Director of Social Adult Day Programs for Early Stage Memory Loss at the Jewish Council for the Aging. “We want to thank the Jean Griswold Foundation and Griswold Home Care for their incredible support, which will help us continue meeting our members’ needs in the comfort of their own homes.”

“During such uncertain times, it’s imperative to lend a hand to local nonprofits serving the growing number of people in need – especially seniors,” said Erin Pickrell, director of Griswold Home Care of Bethesda-Chevy Chase, which awarded the grant. “On behalf of the Jean Griswold Foundation, we are proud to support the Jewish Council for the Aging and the Kensington Club as they help our neighbors in need live fufilling, healthy lives in the place they love.”

Launched in 2019, Griswold Gives is an annual grant program that helps Griswold Home Care’s franchise directors give back to their communities by awarding grants to local nonprofits of their choice. This year, the Jean Griswold Foundation activated the

program early under the new name, Griswold Gives COVID-19 Emergency Relief Program, to provide nonprofits immediate support during the ongoing crisis.

The Jean Griswold Foundation is a private charity established by Griswold Home Care to further the company’s belief that care for the elderly and disabled should be available to all. Every dollar donated is used to further its mission to support programs and services that allow seniors to age in place. The Jean Griswold Foundation has also partnered with organizations, such as Meals on Wheels America, to help seniors and disabled adults in need.

With 200 locations in 30 states, Griswold Home Care is one of the country’s top home care companies. Griswold provides non-medical personal care services at home allowing adults to maintain quality of life despite advanced age or onset of illness. For more information, visit www.griswoldhomecare.com or call 215.402.0200.